People often overlook the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin, as they tend to focus on its cheese-loving residents or big cheese cities like Milwaukee.
However, the real deal lies within Wisconsin’s affordable yet excellent neighborhoods.
We used Saturday Night Science and Census data to determine the most affordable places to live in Wisconsin. We compared the cost of living, real estate prices, and incomes for all 145 cities in Wisconsin over 5,000 people.
The residents of these Badger State cities won’t have to reduce their grocery budget by hunting and ice fishing or earn extra cash by plowing snow.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in Wisconsin
What’s the cheapest place to live in Wisconsin? According to the most recent data, the cheapest place in Wisconsin is Antigo.
So, if you care about home values, cost of living, and gold star quality of life, look at the list below to see where your Wisconsin dollar will let you live like a Milwaukee Buck on a dairy farmer’s salary.
Check out some more reading about Wisconsin and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Wisconsin For 2026
/10
Population: 8,069
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 81
Median Income: $45,520
Median Home Price: $172,827
Median Rent: $683
Next on the list is another town northwest of Green Bay. Antigo, in Langlade County, ranks as the cheapest city in Wisconsin. According to Zillow, the average home price is the lowest in the state at $172,827.
The Springbrook Trail and Antigo Lake Park are cheap things to do in town. And you save so much on housing that you’ll have more to spend for a long weekend in Minneapolis or Milwaukee.
More on Antigo: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 18,722
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $55,253
Median Home Price: $219,123
Median Rent: $888
Wisconsin Rapids, located in Wood County in the center of Wisconsin, is the second lowest cost city in the state. The city has the 35th best home price to income in the Badger State.
The cost of living index at 84 is 14 points below the state average in Wisconsin Rapids. Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo and Nepco Lake County Park offer something cheap to do with the family.
More on Wisconsin Rapids: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 11,115
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 85
Median Income: $58,638
Median Home Price: $195,369
Median Rent: $807
Marinette, located on the south bank of the Menominee River, is one of the most affordable places to live in Wisconsin. With a median home value of $195,369 and a median rent of $807, Marinette offers lower living costs than the national average.
Apart from being an affordable place to live, Marinette is also a great place to call home. With its beautiful location near Green Bay and Lake Michigan, residents can enjoy various outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The city also has a rich history as a significant player in the lumbering industry during the late 19th century, as evidenced by its preserved park on Stephenson Island.
More on Marinette: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 9,522
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 85
Median Income: $57,490
Median Home Price: $246,486
Median Rent: $819
Located about 45 minutes northwest of Green Bay, Shawano ranks as the fourth most affordable city in Wisconsin. Shawano has the second cheapest homes on this list and the 18th cheapest homes in the state. Residents earn a median income of $57,490 and pay a median price of $246,486 for homes. On the other hand, Shawano is the least economical place to rent on this list, notwithstanding the fact that you can get an apartment for under $600/month here. Shawano is home to Twig’s Beverage, who make some of the finest craft soda in the Midwest.
More on Shawano: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 9,356
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 86
Median Income: $53,148
Median Home Price: $218,029
Median Rent: $771
If you want to live in the cheapest place in America’s Dairyland, look no further than Merrill. Merrill is known as the “City of Parks, so you’ll never be left wondering how to entertain yourself free of charge. Merrill boasts the tenth cheapest homes in the state, and the absolute lowest you’ll see on this list, with a median price of $218,029. Even more important, though, is that Merrill’s median income is $53,148, meaning there’s nowhere in Wisconsin where you’ll spend less of your salary on your home.
Merrill is located in north-central Wisconsin.
More on Merrill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 5,562
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 87
Median Income: $59,472
Median Home Price: $204,328
Median Rent: $832
Berlin is an outstanding option for those looking for an affordable place to live in Wisconsin. The city has a median home value of $204,328 and a median rent of $832.
Berlin has the Carnegie Public Library, which offers a variety of programs for both kids and adults, along with a public park system that includes sports facilities, play areas, and a campground. The city’s historic districts, including Victorian-style homes and a vibrant Main Street, are cherished by residents. Berlin is actively involved in downtown community development by participating in the Connect Communities program.
More on Berlin: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 5,491
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 87
Median Income: $54,268
Median Home Price: $212,912
Median Rent: $795
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821.
More on Prairie Du Chien: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 36,534
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $62,663
Median Home Price: $198,920
Median Rent: $1,066
We’re going to south Wisconsin now to visit Beloit, the eighth cheapest place in the state. It’s 1.5 hours south of Milwaukee on the Illinois border.
The overall cost of living index of 88 includes low index values for utilities, services, and healthcare. The Blackhawk Farms Raceway and Carl and Myrna Nygren Wetland Preserve are nearby for affordable fun.
More on Beloit: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
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Population: 11,231
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $57,222
Median Home Price: $218,730
Median Rent: $780
Life in Two Rivers has a lot going for it. Low crime and a strong labor market make it an attractive place to put down roots. And a location on the banks of Lake Michigan provides an excellent view and numerous free-time options.
All this comes at a pretty penny, right? Not quite. In fact, Two Rivers stands as the number 9 most affordable location in all of Wisconsin.
The overall cost of living in Two Rivers comes in at about a 20% discount compared to the national average. In town, you’ll get deals on groceries and transportation. But there’s one place where you’ll really save money: your housing budget.
The median home value in the area sits at $218,730. In itself, that’s the 11th lowest figure in the state. But put that in context with local wage levels and the news gets even better. Two Rivers boasts the number 25.0 best home price-to-income ratio in Wisconsin.
Not looking to buy? Well, the median rent in town comes in at a reasonable $780 per month.
More on Two Rivers: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 8,316
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $51,421
Median Home Price: $254,837
Median Rent: $804
Rhinelander, in northern Wisconsin west of Green Bay, has the 24th lowest home prices and a solid 116th best home-price-to-income ratio. The city has the tenth lowest overall cost of living.
Rhinelander has cheap things to do, including Hodag Park and the Hodag Country Festival. It’s also right next to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
More on Rhinelander: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
I’ve lived in Rhinelander all my life and loved every second of it. If you want to rank cities based on crime and unemployment then have it, but those aren’t the deciding factors for whether it’s a terrible place to live. If you don’t believe me, ask the journal sentinel what they think of Rhinelander: http:m.jsonline.comwisconsin-travel/268294472.htm-
Cheapest places to live in Wisconsin FAQs
The county in Wisconsin with the lowest cost of living is Dane County. The average living wage in Dane County is $103,834 according to MIT data. Dane County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Wisconsin as a whole. Childcare costs $25,655 a year in Dane County for two children compared to the Wisconsin average of $19,401. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $14,532 per year in Dane County compared to $10,946 on average in Wisconsin.
The cost of living in Wisconsin is 3.2% higher than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Wisconsin is $92,622 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Wisconsin household is $63,293.
The cheapest housing market in Wisconsin is Antigo. The average home value in Antigo is $69,400, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Wisconsin is $189,200, almost 2.7 times higher than Antigo.
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The county in Wisconsin with the lowest cost of living is Dane County. The average living wage in Dane County is $103,834 according to MIT data. Dane County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Wisconsin as a whole. Childcare costs $25,655 a year in Dane County for two children compared to the Wisconsin average of $19,401. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $14,532 per year in Dane County compared to $10,946 on average in Wisconsin.
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The cost of living in Wisconsin is 3.2% higher than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Wisconsin is $92,622 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Wisconsin household is $63,293.
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The cheapest housing market in Wisconsin is Antigo. The average home value in Antigo is $69,400, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Wisconsin is $189,200, almost 2.7 times higher than Antigo.
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Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Badger State for 2026
Determining affordability for places in Wisconsin boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2020-2024 for Wisconsin using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Wisconsin to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 145 places in Wisconsin that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in Wisconsin with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Antigo.
We updated this article for 2026. This report reflects our eleventh time ranking the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in Wisconsin for 2026, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in Wisconsin.
The cheapest cities in Wisconsin are Antigo, Wisconsin Rapids, Marinette, Shawano, Merrill, Berlin, Prairie du Chien, Beloit, Two Rivers, and Rhinelander.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in Wisconsin according to the data:
- Summit
- Mequon
- Whitefish Bay
For more Wisconsin reading, check out:
- Best Places To Buy A House In Wisconsin
- Worst Places To Live In Wisconsin
- Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin
Cheapest Places To Live In Wisconsin
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antigo | 8,069 | 81 | $45,520 | $172,827 | $683 |
| 2 | Wisconsin Rapids | 18,722 | 84 | $55,253 | $219,123 | $888 |
| 3 | Marinette | 11,115 | 85 | $58,638 | $195,369 | $807 |
| 4 | Shawano | 9,522 | 85 | $57,490 | $246,486 | $819 |
| 5 | Merrill | 9,356 | 86 | $53,148 | $218,029 | $771 |
| 6 | Berlin | 5,562 | 87 | $59,472 | $204,328 | $832 |
| 7 | Prairie du Chien | 5,491 | 87 | $54,268 | $212,912 | $795 |
| 8 | Beloit | 36,534 | 88 | $62,663 | $198,920 | $1,066 |
| 9 | Two Rivers | 11,231 | 88 | $57,222 | $218,730 | $780 |
| 10 | Rhinelander | 8,316 | 88 | $51,421 | $254,837 | $804 |
| 11 | Ripon | 7,772 | 88 | $54,763 | $224,704 | $775 |
| 12 | Richland Center | 5,109 | 88 | $51,932 | $186,795 | $683 |
| 13 | Menasha | 18,273 | 89 | $64,698 | $307,807 | $903 |
| 14 | Waupaca | 6,283 | 89 | $52,727 | $319,369 | $783 |
| 15 | Green Bay | 106,253 | 90 | $66,206 | $278,023 | $932 |
| 16 | Oshkosh | 66,729 | 90 | $62,188 | $253,810 | $935 |
| 17 | Manitowoc | 34,620 | 90 | $63,757 | $235,894 | $804 |
| 18 | Racine | 77,633 | 91 | $57,740 | $208,908 | $1,033 |
| 19 | Sheboygan | 49,645 | 91 | $62,927 | $257,466 | $924 |
| 20 | Wausau | 39,996 | 91 | $64,389 | $240,743 | $1,010 |
| 21 | Sheboygan Falls | 8,547 | 91 | $71,477 | $328,448 | $883 |
| 22 | Ashland | 7,902 | 91 | $54,529 | $192,123 | $753 |
| 23 | New London | 7,726 | 91 | $60,612 | $282,581 | $837 |
| 24 | Kimberly | 7,447 | 91 | $70,451 | $281,681 | $1,161 |
| 25 | North Fond du Lac | 5,392 | 91 | $62,832 | $192,155 | $1,124 |
| 26 | West Allis | 59,612 | 92 | $67,611 | $268,506 | $1,007 |
| 27 | Cudahy | 17,853 | 92 | $66,719 | $282,520 | $1,028 |
| 28 | Reedsburg | 10,168 | 92 | $75,028 | $303,020 | $977 |
| 29 | Rice Lake | 9,030 | 92 | $52,417 | $271,838 | $856 |
| 30 | Fond du Lac | 44,494 | 93 | $62,260 | $253,674 | $913 |
| 31 | Superior | 26,677 | 93 | $64,216 | $220,786 | $900 |
| 32 | Watertown | 22,774 | 93 | $70,107 | $318,226 | $1,052 |
| 33 | Marshfield | 18,700 | 93 | $58,407 | $250,142 | $842 |
| 34 | Baraboo | 12,769 | 93 | $69,750 | $298,881 | $940 |
| 35 | Waupun | 11,174 | 93 | $65,625 | $260,262 | $951 |
| 36 | Monroe | 10,587 | 93 | $69,334 | $277,860 | $862 |
| 37 | Sparta | 9,950 | 93 | $64,973 | $272,155 | $861 |
| 38 | Sturgeon Bay | 9,806 | 93 | $59,926 | $375,223 | $1,097 |
| 39 | Tomah | 9,532 | 93 | $51,274 | $251,285 | $903 |
| 40 | Appleton | 75,023 | 94 | $80,483 | $297,642 | $1,030 |
| 41 | La Crosse | 51,356 | 94 | $55,866 | $276,421 | $1,010 |
| 42 | Neenah | 27,336 | 94 | $75,374 | $305,615 | $1,006 |
| 43 | South Milwaukee | 20,442 | 94 | $73,427 | $300,411 | $1,014 |
| 44 | Beaver Dam | 16,565 | 94 | $66,673 | $288,264 | $959 |
| 45 | Platteville | 11,499 | 94 | $43,083 | $255,581 | $863 |
| 46 | Portage | 10,236 | 94 | $64,722 | $288,024 | $1,008 |
| 47 | Plymouth | 8,890 | 94 | $68,038 | $336,695 | $914 |
| 48 | Milton | 5,706 | 94 | $85,959 | $347,047 | $930 |
| 49 | Rothschild | 5,600 | 94 | $88,261 | $253,441 | $970 |
| 50 | Mayville | 5,228 | 94 | $66,834 | $267,718 | $835 |
| 51 | Milwaukee | 566,973 | 95 | $54,234 | $220,136 | $1,059 |
| 52 | Eau Claire | 70,322 | 95 | $67,395 | $311,026 | $1,045 |
| 53 | Janesville | 66,030 | 95 | $73,446 | $288,358 | $1,054 |
| 54 | Stevens Point | 25,785 | 95 | $58,031 | $280,949 | $890 |
| 55 | Kaukauna | 17,706 | 95 | $80,365 | $303,856 | $1,083 |
| 56 | St. Francis | 9,004 | 95 | $57,368 | $282,496 | $1,004 |
| 57 | Delavan | 8,689 | 95 | $65,357 | $329,932 | $1,094 |
| 58 | Menomonie | 16,539 | 96 | $56,889 | $298,133 | $970 |
| 59 | Whitewater | 15,807 | 96 | $54,969 | $338,753 | $1,041 |
| 60 | Allouez | 13,975 | 96 | $91,250 | $319,587 | $1,114 |
| 61 | Little Chute | 11,754 | 96 | $87,538 | $298,046 | $1,150 |
| 62 | Kenosha | 99,372 | 97 | $71,239 | $273,053 | $1,186 |
| 63 | Weston | 15,749 | 97 | $78,207 | $300,000 | $1,024 |
| 64 | Chippewa Falls | 14,782 | 97 | $57,873 | $330,661 | $910 |
| 65 | Plover | 13,884 | 97 | $88,042 | $347,473 | $1,089 |
| 66 | Fort Atkinson | 12,463 | 97 | $79,302 | $297,960 | $961 |
| 67 | Edgerton | 6,014 | 97 | $72,489 | $294,921 | $961 |
| 68 | Dodgeville | 5,042 | 97 | $72,288 | $328,872 | $999 |
| 69 | De Pere | 25,301 | 98 | $84,869 | $401,112 | $1,053 |
| 70 | Ashwaubenon | 17,314 | 98 | $69,667 | $338,975 | $964 |
| 71 | Bellevue | 16,442 | 98 | $84,672 | $393,956 | $1,154 |
| 72 | Jefferson | 7,732 | 98 | $79,006 | $337,201 | $1,071 |
| 73 | Sturtevant | 6,772 | 98 | $92,647 | $281,361 | $981 |
| 74 | Elkhorn | 10,221 | 99 | $77,649 | $338,685 | $1,034 |
| 75 | Altoona | 8,878 | 99 | $84,552 | $327,629 | $1,285 |
| 76 | Kronenwetter | 8,395 | 99 | $115,044 | $330,174 | $1,125 |
| 77 | Columbus | 5,488 | 99 | $75,427 | $311,070 | $874 |
| 78 | Union Grove | 5,036 | 99 | $107,482 | $328,655 | $1,143 |
| 79 | Greenfield | 37,345 | 100 | $70,459 | $323,451 | $1,170 |
| 80 | West Bend | 32,030 | 100 | $74,076 | $347,505 | $1,076 |
| 81 | Caledonia | 25,257 | 100 | $93,152 | $380,069 | $1,141 |
| 82 | Onalaska | 19,348 | 100 | $85,867 | $359,544 | $1,130 |
| 83 | Hartford | 15,821 | 100 | $82,014 | $374,924 | $1,110 |
| 84 | Brown Deer | 12,564 | 100 | $93,974 | $283,652 | $1,183 |
| 85 | Holmen | 11,372 | 100 | $79,899 | $413,026 | $1,175 |
| 86 | Evansville | 5,782 | 100 | $81,149 | $358,800 | $1,093 |
| 87 | West Salem | 5,330 | 100 | $97,019 | $370,539 | $1,283 |
| 88 | Waukesha | 71,233 | 101 | $83,837 | $413,609 | $1,219 |
| 89 | Jackson | 8,003 | 101 | $93,170 | $416,165 | $1,151 |
| 90 | Mount Pleasant | 27,953 | 102 | $91,616 | $336,758 | $1,127 |
| 91 | Burlington | 10,987 | 102 | $83,419 | $351,654 | $999 |
| 92 | New Richmond | 10,539 | 102 | $88,157 | $374,056 | $1,168 |
| 93 | Lake Hallie | 7,285 | 102 | $86,740 | $361,887 | $1,223 |
| 94 | Lake Mills | 6,470 | 102 | $91,027 | $420,977 | $1,209 |
| 95 | Twin Lakes | 6,309 | 102 | $86,222 | $394,923 | $870 |
| 96 | Howard | 21,087 | 103 | $85,477 | $391,192 | $1,102 |
| 97 | River Falls | 16,719 | 103 | $83,627 | $406,768 | $1,107 |
| 98 | Stoughton | 13,033 | 103 | $79,551 | $428,270 | $1,157 |
| 99 | Lake Geneva | 8,521 | 103 | $75,629 | $411,279 | $1,389 |
| 100 | Greendale | 14,594 | 104 | $94,769 | $383,282 | $1,252 |
